Multi user device management system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a personal device container system. The personal device container system typically includes a processor, a memory, and an access management module stored in the memory. The personal device container system is typically configured to establish network communication between a personal computing device and a provisioning system that validates the identity of the personal computing device and provides a certificate to the personal computing device. Thereafter, the personal computing device requests access to a secured network segment and provides the certificate to the personal device container system. The personal device container system then authenticates the personal computing device&#39;s certificate before allowing the personal computing device to communicate with the secured network segment. User credentials associated with a user are authenticated before user-specific content associated with the user is provided to the personal computing device. Accordingly, a user-specific experience may be provided to different users of the personal computing device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention embraces a personal computing device for providinga multi-user experience that includes a processor, a memory, acommunication interface, and a display device. The personal computingdevice is typically configured to (i) establish network communicationwith a provisioning system that validates the identity of the personalcomputing device and provides a certificate to the personal computingdevice, (ii) provide the certificate to a personal device containersystem that authenticates the certificate, (iii) establish networkcommunication with a secured network segment, (iv) provide usercredentials associated with a user, and (v) receive user-specificcontent associated with the user.

BACKGROUND

Various methods exist to help businesses manage personal computingdevices over a network. A need exists for an improved system forprovisioning and managing the communication of personal computingdevices over a secured network.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a personal device container system is presented. Thepersonal device container system typically includes a processor, amemory, and executable code stored in the memory which is executable bythe processor. In some embodiments, the personal device container systemreceives a first request, form a personal computing device, to connectto a provisioning network segment to provision the personal computingdevice to communicate with a secured network segment. The provisioningnetwork segment and the secured network segment are part of a commonnetwork. In some embodiments of the invention, the first requestcomprises a first set of security credentials to authenticate thepersonal computing device.

In some embodiments of the invention, the personal device containersystem is configured to authenticate the personal computing device tocommunicate with the provisioning network segment based on the first setof security credentials. After authenticating the first set of securitycredentials, the personal device container system may be configured tocreate a first network tunnel between the personal computing device andthe provisioning network segment. The provisioning network segmentcomprises a provisioning device capable of communicating a certificateto the personal computing device via the first network tunnel toprovision the network device.

In some embodiments, the personal device container system receivesprovisioning filter rules for filtering messages communicated via thefirst network tunnel. Further, the personal device container system maybe configured to determine that the personal computing device hascommunicated a provisioning request to the provisioning device via thefirst network tunnel. Using the filter rules, the personal devicecontainer system determines whether to filter the provisioning requestor deliver the provisioning request to the provisioning system.

In some embodiments, the personal device container system, receives asecond request, from the personal computing device, for the personalcomputing device to communicate with the secured network segment. Thesecond request may comprise a second set of security credentials thatare based at least in part on the certificate. After receiving therequest, the personal device container system may be configured toauthenticate the personal computing device to communicate with thesecured network segment based on the second set of security credentials.

If the personal device container system authenticates the secondcredentials, the personal device container system may be configured tocreate a second network tunnel between the personal computing device andthe secured network segment. After the second network tunnel has beencreated, the personal device container system may be configured toreceive secured filter rules for filtering messages communicated via thesecond network tunnel.

In some embodiments, the determining that the personal computing devicehas communicated a secured message to a device that is a part of thesecured network segment via the second network tunnel, wherein thesecured message is compliant with the secured filter rules; and routingthe secured message to the device that is part of the secured networksegment.

In some embodiments, the personal device container system is configuredto determine that a second message has been communicated via the secondnetwork tunnel. Further, the personal device container system would beconfigured to determine whether the second message does not satisfy thesecured filter rules. Based on such a determination, the personal devicecontainer system would be configured to either forward the securedmessage or filter the secure message.

In some embodiments, the personal computing device is configured toexecute a security function initiated by a remote command. The personaldevice container system determines that the personal computing device isconnected to an unauthorized network and based on such, communicates theremote command to the personal computing device to initiate the securityfunction.

In some embodiments, where the secured message is communicated via thesecond network tunnel, the secured message may further comprise ageographic location of the personal computing device when the personalcomputing device communicated the message. The personal device containersystem may be configured to receive a geographic perimeter from whichthe personal computing device is allowed to communicate the message overvia the second network tunnel to the device located on the securednetwork segment. Then the personal device container system would beconfigured to determine the geographic location of the device from themessage and determine that the location of the personal computing deviceis not located within the geographic perimeter. Based on such, thepersonal device container system would be configured to filter themessage.

In some embodiments, the secured network comprises a wireless connectionto the secured network. Allowing the personal computing device toconnect the secured network would comprise providing a wirelessconnection to the personal computing device.

In some embodiments, the personal device container system would beconfigured to receive a third message, communicated via the secondnetwork tunnel. The third message is directed to a device that is notlocated within the secured network segment. After receiving such arequest, the personal device container system would be configured tofilter the message.

In some embodiments, the request to connect to the provisioning networksegment comprises a first secure session identifier (SSID).Additionally, the request to connect to the secured network segmentcomprises a second SSID. The personal device container system would beconfigured to create the first network tunnel further based on receivingthe first SSID, and create the second network tunnel based on receivingthe second SSID.

In some embodiments, the personal device container system comprises aforeign controller, a control point, and an operations router. Theforeign controller could be configured to direct communications from thepersonal computing device to the provisioning segment using the firstnetwork tunnel and communications to the secured network segment usingthe second network tunnel. The control point utilizes the provisioningnetwork rules to filter communications over the first network tunnel.The operations router utilizes the secured network rules to filtercommunications over the second network tunnel.

In another aspect, a personal computing device is described forpresenting a multi-user experience. In some embodiments, the personalcomputing device comprises at least a processor, a memory, acommunication interface in communication with an entity network, adisplay device, a device configuration file stored in the memorycomprising one or more device settings. In some embodiments, thepersonal computing device is configured to establish networkcommunication with the entity network.

After the personal computing device has established the networkcommunication, the personal computing device may further establishnetwork communication with a personal computing device management systemvia the entity network and provide device identification informationassociated with the personal computing device to the personal computingdevice management system. Based on communicating such information, thepersonal computing device may receive a certificate from the personalcomputing device management system and storing the certificate in thememory.

In some embodiments, the personal computing device may be configured toreceive settings from the personal computing device management systemand updating the device configuration file based on the settingsreceived from the personal computing device management system. Thepersonal computing device may further be configured to receive a commandfrom the personal computing device management system to download anentity application. Based on receiving such a command, the personalcomputing device may download the entity application and store theentity application in the memory.

In some embodiments, the personal computing device may send a firstrequest to the entity network to connect to a secured network segment incommunication with the entity network. As part of the request, thepersonal computing device may be configured to transmit the certificateto the entity network. Based on communicating the request and thecertificate, the personal computing device may receive access to thesecured network segment.

In further embodiments, the personal computing device may send a secondrequest to the entity network. The second request may comprise a requestto access the secured network segment via the entity application. Basedon communicating the second request, the personal computing device mayreceive a third request from the entity network to provide usercredentials. After receiving the third request, the personal computingdevice may be configured to provide user credentials associated with afirst user to the entity network.

In some embodiments, the personal computing device may be configured toreceive user-specific content associated with a first user. Uponreceiving the user-specific content, the personal computing device maydisplay the user-specific content associated with the first user on thedisplay device using the entity application.

In some embodiments, the personal computing device may further beconfigured to provide user credentials associated with a second user tothe entity network. Based on providing such credentials, the personalcomputing device may receive user-specific content associated with asecond user and display the user-specific content associated with thesecond user on the display device using the entity application.

In other embodiments, the personal computing device management systemmay be configured to: (i) validate the device identification informationassociated with the personal computing device and (ii), if the deviceidentification information associated with the personal computing deviceis valid, providing the certificate to the personal computing device.

In some embodiments, the entity network comprises a personal devicecontainer system. Further, the personal device container system may beconfigured to establish network communication between the personalcomputing device and the personal computing device management system.

In other embodiments, the personal device container system is configuredto (i) authenticate the certificate transmitted by the personalcomputing device, (ii) provide the personal computing device access tothe secured network segment based on authenticating the certificatetransmitted by the personal computing device, and (iii) block networkcommunication between the personal computing device and the securednetwork segment until the certificate has been authenticated.

While yet in further embodiments, the personal device container systemis configured to (i) authenticate the user credentials associated withthe first user and (ii), based on authenticating the user credentialsassociated with the first user, providing the user-specific contentassociated with the first user to the personal computing device. Inother embodiments, the personal computing device may be a tabletcomputer.

In another aspect of the invention, a system is described for providingmulti-user management on a personal computing device. In someembodiments the multi-user management system receives a securitycredential of a personal computing device. The multi-user managementsystem authenticates the security credential in order to establish anetwork communication between the personal computing device and anetwork segment.

In some embodiments, the multi-user management system receives a firstrequest from the user computing device to receive first user-specificinformation for a first application executed by the user computingdevice from a secured network segment in communication with the entitynetwork, wherein the request comprises a device identifier and a useridentifier associated with a first user, wherein the device identifieris a security certificate.

In another embodiment, the multi-user management system is configured toauthenticate the user identifier. Based on authenticating the useridentifier, associate the user identifier with the device identifier.Based on authenticating the user identifier, the system may be furtherconfigured to communicate a first response to the user computing device.

In yet other embodiments, the system may be further configured toreceive a second request from the user computing device to receivesecond user-specific information associated with the first user for asecond application executed by the user computing device from thesecured network segment, wherein the second request comprises the deviceidentifier. Based on determining that the device identifier isassociated with the user identifier associated with the first user, thesystem may then communicate a second response to the user computingdevice.

In yet other embodiments of the invention, the system may receive athird request from the personal computing device, wherein the thirdrequest comprises the device identifier and a second user identifier.Based on the third request, the system may disassociate the useridentifier with the device identifier based on receiving the thirdrequest. The system may also associate the second user identifier withthe device identifier based on receiving the third request.

In other embodiments, the system is configured to validate the deviceidentifier to determine that the personal computing device is allowed tocommunicate requests to devices on the secured network segment.

In yet other embodiments, the system is further configured to determinethat the user associated with the first user identifier is authorized tocommunicate requests to the secured network segment using the personalcomputing device associated with the device identifier.

In yet other embodiments, the system may be further configured to (i)determine that a pre-defined time period has elapsed after receiving thesecond request, (ii) determine that the personal computing device hasnot communicated a subsequent request before the pre-defined period haselapsed, and (iii) disassociating the user identifier and the deviceidentifier based on determining that the personal computing device hasnot communicated a subsequent request before the pre-defined period haselapsed.

In yet further embodiments, the system may be further configured to (i)receive a third request, wherein the third request comprises a thirduser identifier, (ii) determine that the third user identifier is notauthorized to make requests using the personal computing device, (iii)block the third request based on determining that the third useridentifier is not authorized to make requests using the personalcomputing device.

In other embodiments, where the entity network further comprises aprivate network segment, the system may be further configured to blockcommunications between the user computing device and the private networksegment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms,reference will now be made the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a personal device container system and operatingenvironment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts a personal device container system in accordance with anexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a personal computing device in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a method for provisioning a personal computing device toconnect to a secured network with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 depicts a method for granting a personal computing device accessto a secured network with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts a method for filtering communication from a personalcomputing device to a secured network segment based on determining thelocation of the personal computing device; and

FIG. 7 depicts a method for providing multi-user management on apersonal computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, theinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Where possible, any terms expressed in the singularform herein are meant to also include the plural form and vice versa,unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “a”and/or “an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one ormore” is also used herein. Furthermore, when it is said herein thatsomething is “based on” something else, it may be based on one or moreother things as well. In other words, unless expressly indicatedotherwise, as used herein “based on” means “based at least in part on”or “based at least partially on.” Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the terms “financialinstitution” and “financial entity” include any organization thatprocesses financial transactions including, but not limited to, banks,credit unions, savings and loan associations, investment companies,stock brokerages, asses management firms, insurance companies and thelike. In specific embodiments of the invention, use of the term “bank”is limited to a financial entity in which account-bearing customersconduct financial transactions, such as account deposits, withdrawals,transfers and the like.

Although some embodiments of the invention herein are generallydescribed as involving a “financial institution,” one of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the invention mayinvolve other businesses that take the place of or work in conjunctionwith the financial institution to perform one or more of the processesor steps described herein as being performed by a financial institution.Still in other embodiments of the invention the financial institutiondescribed herein may be replaced with other types of businesses thatengage in monitoring personal computing devices.

A “user” may be any person or entity using a system as described herein.Often, a user is an employee of an entity (e.g., a financialinstitution) using the system. In some instances a user has a managementposition within an entity using the system.

A “network” or “computing network” may refer to any connection betweentwo or more computing devices to facilitate communication between thetwo or more computing devices. A network may be either wired, wireless,or a combination of wired and wireless. The network shall encompass alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a global areanetwork (GAN) such as the Internet. Additionally, a network mayencompass a communication link between two devices using Bluetooth,WIFI, Near Field Communications (NFC), and the like.

“Protocol” shall refer to a common method for communicating between atleast two devices on a network. Typically, protocols are designed tocommunicate a message from an originating device to a destinationdevice. Protocols may also allow the destination device to communicate aresponse back to the originating device or allow multiple communicationsbetween at least the two devices.

“Routing” is defined as a method for transporting a message through anoriginating device to at least one destination device. As discussedherein, a network may contain routing devices that connect othercomputing devices together and allow communication between the computingdevices. Routing is the method employed by the routers to directcommunications between the computing devices. The network may beconfigured using common routing techniques. A basic network may includea single communication connection between two computing devices whereeach computing device may both send and receive communications from theother computing device.

Another common network configuration is to use a common router toconnect multiple devices. Each device connected to the routercommunicates a message to another device through the router. Therefore,the router receives all communication on the network. After the routerreceives the communication, it determines which device to which deviceto forward to the communication. This network configuration is mostcommon as a network in a home or a small business. This type of networkis commonly known as a star topology.

A more expansive network may include multiple routers thatintercommunicate. Each router is known to other routers on the networkand may both communicate and receive communications from each of therouters. Each router may be connected to multiple computing devices ormay be a computing device itself. Additionally, each router on thenetwork may have connections to multiple routers; therefore, allowingfor multiples routes between devices. For example, a first router(labeled Router A) may be connected to an originating device and atleast two other routers (labeled Router B and Router C). Router B andRouter C are further connected to Router D which is further connected todestination device. The originating device may communicate a message toan intended recipient of the destination device. The originating devicecommunicates the message to Router A with instructions to communicatethe message to the destination device. Router A may use commontechniques to determine the location of the destination device andforward the message accordingly. Router A, because it is connected toboth Router B and Router C, may communicate the message to either orboth of the routers. Regardless of how Router A forwards the message,the forwarding process continues until the message is received by RouterD which in turn forwards the message to the destination device. Thistype of network is advantageous in that if either Router B or Router Cshould fail, the other router is still available to allow communicationbetween the originating and the destination computers. This type ofnetwork is known as a mesh network.

Networks may further contain different types of networks. For example, arouter may be connected to multiple computing devices which are internalto a first network—commonly known as a Local Area Network (LAN). Therouter may also have a connection with at least one other router andforms a second network—commonly known as a Wide Area Network (WAN). Therouter acts as a bridge between the LAN and the WAN to transmitcommunications. The WAN may be built using a mesh network and the LANbuilt using the star topology.

“Internet Protocol” or “IP” is a common protocol used to routecommunications across the Internet and other networks. As discussedherein, networks commonly use routers to direct messages betweendifferent computing devices. IP directs the router or other addressingserver to assign an address to each device on the network in order toidentify such device for both sending and receiving communications. Thisaddress is commonly known as the IP address. An originating device maycommunicate a message to an intended recipient using the IP address ofthe intended recipient. IP additionally, directs routers how to forwardmessages to other routers so that the message is received by theintended recipient. This is commonly performed using routing tablesstored locally or remotely accessible to each router.

Typically, a computing device on a network, in addition to receiving anIP address, comprises numbered ports that are internal to the device.These ports allow communication between an application assigned to theport and other devices on the network. For example, a computing devicemay run a web server and assign the web server to the common port of 80to receive and communication messages from the network. The router maybe configured to route communications to a given port of the computingdevice. Additionally, the router may be further configured toautomatically route a message to a given port based on a protocol of themessage. A common protocol for communicating with a web server is theHypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)—which is based on both the IP and theTransmission Control Protocol (TCP). A router may be configured toforward all HTTP messages to port 80 of a given device. A router mayalso determine the port based on the address containing the port.

A “Firewall” is a hardware or software device used to filtercommunication over a network. A firewall may be employed to preventmalicious communication from being sent to or communicated from acomputing device. The firewall may be deployed on a computing device, ora router. The firewall may be configured to prevent communication with agiven port of a computing device. For example, a firewall may allowaccess to port 80 of a computing device but prohibit access to all otherports. A firewall may also be configured to filter communications overthe network dependent on the originator of the message. For example, thefirewall may allow access to a given device if the message originatedfrom a computing device located on the same LAN as the recipient device.The firewall may use an IP address to filter communication as well.

A “Filter Rule” is used by a firewall or similar device to either permitor forbid communication to a device located on the network. The filterrule may filter or permit a communication based on certain parameters ofthe communication. Such parameters may include an identifier of thesender, an identifier of the receiver, a protocol or language used, atime or day the communication is sent, a specific port of the receiver,and the like. Filter rules may direct a firewall to be inclusive orexclusive with respect to the parameters. Where, a filter rule directs afirewall to be inclusive, the firewall will block all communicationsexcept as directed by the filter rule. Inversely, where a filter ruledirects a firewall to be exclusive, the firewall will allow allcommunications except as directed by the firewall. As an example of aninclusive filter rule, a filter rule may direct the firewall to blockall communications using TCP except from a sender with a givenidentifier (i.e. IP Address). As an example of an exclusive filter rule,a filter may direct the firewall to permit all communications to a givencomputing device except where the communication is directed toward port22 of any device on the network.

“Tunneling” or “Network Tunneling,” as used herein shall be defined asthe communication between two devices over a network where thecommunication comprises at least two protocols. Typically, on a network,a communication sent from an origination device is routed throughmultiple paths and other devices before arriving at a destinationdevice. Each of these devices uses a common protocol to communicate withother devices to move along information between the originating deviceand the destination device. If the origination device and thedestination desire to communicate using a protocol that is not known tothe other routing devices on the network, the other routing devicescannot transfer the communication without some transformation. Tunnelingallows this transformation. Tunneling encapsulates a message that istransmitted in a unique protocol that is known between the originatingdevice and the destination device inside a communication that iscommunicated using a common protocol that is known to all devices on thenetwork. For example, a common protocol used to allow communicationsbetween devices on a network is the Internet Protocol (IP). IP isdefined in more detail in above. A device on a network may communicate amessage using the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) which relies onIP. The device encapsulates a TCP message within the IP communication.When a routing device on the network receives the IP communication, thedevice only analyzes the IP communication and not the TCP message.

A network communication may contain further layers of messages eachusing a different protocol to communicate the respective message. Forexample, Secure Shell (SSH) is a protocol that allows command lineinterfacing with a remote computer over a network. Secure Shell relieson both IP and TCP in order to communicate an SSH message across anetwork. The originating device and the destination device are capableof interpreting and communicating using messages using each of theprotocols.

Any one of the layers within a network communication may further beencrypted using any standard encryption. Encryption and decryption ofmessages may be accomplished using a shared key between the originatingand the destination devices, or through an interpreting device. Aninterpreting device receives encrypted communications from theoriginating device, decrypts the message using a shared key between theoriginating device and the interpreting device and then encrypts themessage using a shared key between the interpreting device and thedestination device. Examples of common encryption techniques includeTransport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

“Control Point” is a network architecture used to protect a network bysegmenting off a portion of a network that is used to provide servicesto an external network. Communications to and from the external networkmust be received by the control point. Thus, no device that is placed ona network that is not part of the control point may communicate directlywith a device that is external to the network. Devices residing withinthe control point are generally limited to communications that areessential to provide functionality for which the device was configured.

A control point may be established with either one or two firewalls.With respect to a control point that utilizes one firewall, the firewallis connected to the control point, an external network, and deviceswithin the LAN. The firewall handles all traffic on the network. Forcommunications from the LAN to the WAN, the firewall directs suchcommunication to a device within the control point for processing. Forcommunications from the WAN, the firewall directs the communication to adevice on the control point where typically the device creates a secondcommunication on behalf of the first communication and directs suchcommunication to the device on the LAN.

With respect to a control point that utilizes two firewalls. The firstfirewall is placed between the control point and the WAN. The secondfirewall is placed between the LAN and the control point. Each firewallis configured (as explained herein) to limit traffic between the WAN,the LAN, and the control point.

As an example of a control point, a content provider may host a webserver that contains customer private information stored on a database.The LAN comprises the database and other servers that provide businesssolutions essential to the content provider. The actual web server ishosted within a device on the control point. A firewall is placedbetween a WAN and the control point that allows access to port 80 of theweb server and restricts all other requests. A second firewall is placedbetween the control point and the LAN that restricts all communicationfrom the LAN to the control point except communication from thedatabase. A web request may be sent over port 80 to the web server.Because the request was sent to port 80 of the web server, the firewallallows the request to pass through. The web server recognizes that itmust supply information from the database and sends a request to thedatabase to supply such information. The database responds to therequest and communicates a response to the web server. Because thecommunication is from the database, the internal firewall allows thecommunication to pass through to the web server. After the web serverreceives the information from the database, the web server communicatesa response to the external network. In this scenario, an externalrequest is not permitted to access the database directly. Additionally,the internal firewall may be configured to only communicate to the webserver and no other device external to the LAN. Therefore, the databasewould be unable to communicate directly to the WAN. Further, thefirewalls may restrict communications of the control point itself. Forexample, a device in the control point may be unauthorized tocommunicate with a device that is not the database on the LAN.

“Network segmentation” is a network design by which networks are dividedinto sub-networks or segments. Network segments may be setup usingeither hardware or software. Typically, a segment is created when thehardware or software restricts communications to a group of deviceslocated on the network. These restrictions may apply to communicationsbeing communicated to or communications from the device. Therestrictions for a network segment may be based on informationassociated with the sender of the communication (i.e. IP address, MACaddress), a protocol upon which the communication is based (i.e. HTTP,FTP), and/or information associated with the receiving device.Additional restrictions are defined in other places within thisspecification. Typically, the restrictions for the network segment applyto all devices contained within the network segment equally. In someembodiments, restrictions may be made for individual devices within thenetwork segment.

Devices contained within a network segment typically are not restrictedfrom communicated with one another. However, individual devices maycontain security parameters that are managed by the device itself.Although the individual security parameters would restrict communicationto the individual device, such parameters are outside the scope of thenetwork segment restrictions.

The restrictions that create the network segments may be implemented byany computing device that is capable of restricting communications overa network. Typical devices may be a firewall, a router, anothercomputing device configured to filter or restrict communications, andthe like. A device that is used to employ the restrictions for thenetwork segment may be known as a segment management device.

As an example, a network includes a set of servers that containsensitive information for the operation of a business. The networkfurther includes standard computers that are operated by individualemployees of the business. A firewall is placed between the standardcomputers and the business servers which contains communicationrestrictions. All communication between the standard computers and thebusiness servers pass through the firewall. The firewall may include arestriction that all filters all communication from the standardcomputers based on one or more communication protocols.

In addition to restricting communications, the network segment may alsoestablish a separate addressing system for the devices contained withinthe segment. The segment may further determine how communicationsoriginating from outside the segment should be routed within thesegment. The segment management device may determine how to route suchcommunication. In some embodiments, a device external to the networksegment may communicate a message to the segment management device. Thesegment management device may have a logic table to forward suchcommunication. The segment management device may forward a communicationbased on the same principles that the device would use to restrictcommunications. For example, a device may receive a communication basedon the HTTP protocol. Based on receiving such a communication, thesegment management device may forward that communication to a givendevice contained within the network segment. Additionally, the segmentmanagement device may be further configured to forward communication toa device contained within the network segment based on the address ofthe device. For example, a device external to the segment knows theaddress of the recipient device within the network and communicates amessage to the recipient device. Although, the segment management devicereceives the message, the segment management device may direct themessage accordingly based on additional restrictions and routinginformation.

A single router may be used to create network segments by acting as afirewall between the two given segments. In this method, even though therouter may be connected to multiple computing devices, the routerassigns each computing device to a respective network and usingsoftware, filters the communication between each computing device. Therouter may create the network segment by implementing filtering rules.These rules may define either inclusive or exclusive. As an example ofan inclusive filter rule, the router may block all traffic to a givendevice that is not communicated from using TCP. Therefore, the rulepermits TCP communication. As an example of an exclusive filter rule,the router may allow all traffic to a given device except communicationsthat are communicated from a particular IP Address. Therefore, thedevice prohibits communication.

It should be understood that a computing device located within a segmentmay also be part of another segment based on communication channels ofthe device. A given device may have multiple channels by which thedevice communicates. Each communication channel may be tied to adifferent segment. Therefore, the device may be part of multiplesegments. For example, a device may communicate wirelessly with anotherdevice located on a first network segment. The device may alsocommunicate with a second device via a wired network link which is partof a second network segment. The device would be part of both the firstand the second network segments. A device within a segment may haveaccess (restricted or unrestricted) to communicate with other devices onthe segment. Therefore, if a device is a part of multiple segments, thedevice may have access (restricted or unrestricted) to each segment uponwhich the device is a part.

In one aspect, the present invention embraces a method of providing amulti-user experience on a personal computing device, typically apersonal computing device provided by an entity, such as a financialinstitution, for the use of one or more employees or other users. Inthis regard, it has been found to be difficult to provide a multi-userexperience via the operating system of certain personal computingdevices (i.e., by relying upon the personal computing device's operatingsystem to recognize and provide a user-specific experience to differentusers). Accordingly, the present invention typically provides amulti-user experience via one or more applications provided by theentity to the personal computing device.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a personal devicecontainer system, in which the system may be used by the entity toprovide the personal computing device with secured access to entitysystems, update settings and perform upgrades on the personal computingdevice, and monitor functional requests between the device and othercomputing devices located on the secured network. It has been found thatconventional Network Access Control (NAC), which is a common way ofcontrolling the access to a network, is not compatible with manypersonal computing devices. Accordingly, the present invention typicallyprovides a personal device container (i.e., secured access to a networksegment).

In particular embodiments of the invention, the personal computingdevice may be configured to allow a user to access applications that arestored on and executed by the personal computing device. The personalcomputing device may provide the user with a login screen that requiresthe user to provide necessary credentials. The personal computing devicemay require the user to supply such credentials prior to the useraccessing an application. After the user has supplied the personalcomputing device the credentials, the personal computing device maysubmit such credentials to an authorization system to validate suchcredentials. The authorization system may validate such credentials andcommunicate a response to the personal computing device that allows theuser to access at least one of the applications.

In some embodiments, the user, based on the response that thecredentials were validated, may be granted access to other applicationson the personal computing device. For example, a personal computingdevice may execute two applications. When a user attempts to access oneof the applications, the authorization system may require the user toprovide the necessary credentials (e.g., via the personal computingdevice). After the user supplies the credentials and the authorizationsystem may grant the user the ability to access the first application.When the user attempts to access the second application, theauthorization system may not require the user to enter additionalcredentials.

The authorization system may determine that after a given amount of timeof the user not accessing an application on the personal computingdevice, the user must resupply the credentials before granting access tothe application. In addition, the authorization system may also placeother restrictions for a user accessing the applications, such as adetermining the location of the personal computing device.

The applications stored on and executed by the personal computing devicemay rely on user-specific information. Such information may be hosted ona computing device located on a network. Based on the receiving theresponse stating the user credentials were validated, the authorizationsystem may receive requests to supply user-specific information. Basedon receiving such a request, the authorization system may transmit therequest to another computing device capable of fulfilling the request oranswer the request.

Where the personal computing device communicates a request to validatethe credentials of the user, the personal computing device may, as apart of the request, communicate a device identifier of the personalcomputing device. The authorization system that receives the request mayalso receive the device identifier and associate the user with thedevice based on the user credentials and the device identifier. Suchassociation may be shared with other devices on the network such as thecomputing device that receives the request for user-specific informationfrom the computing device. Therefore, when the personal computing devicecommunicates a request for user-specific information, the computingdevice that receives such a request may return a response containing theuser-specific information. If the personal computing device submits asubsequent request for user-specific information for a secondapplication to another computing device, the association may be sharedwith the other computing device and the other computing device mayrecognize the user and return a reply containing the user specificinformation.

The authorization system may also perform limitations on requestsreceived from the personal computing device. For example, if a seconduser were to supply user credentials to the personal computing deviceafter the user credentials from the first user were validated and theauthorization system created the association, the authorization systemcould disassociate the first user with the personal computing device.The authorization system may further associate the second user with thepersonal computing device. Additionally, where at least one computingdevice that supplies user-specific information has not received arequest to supply user-specific information for a given user within agiven amount of time, the authorization system may disassociate the userwith the personal computing device. Therefore, any further request fromthe personal computing device for user-specific information would bedenied by the computing device supplying such information.

It should be noted that the authorization system described herein may bea part of a segmented network of a network and provide authentication ofuser credentials to devices within the segmented network. In otherembodiments, the authorization system may remain apart from a segmentednetwork and provide authentication to multiple network segments. Itshould also be noted that the computing device that receives requests tosupply user-specific information may also perform the functionality ofthe authorization system.

In this regard, FIG. 1 depicts an operating environment 100 according toone embodiment of the present invention that provides multiple users ofa personal computing device with secured access to certain systems of anentity (e.g. a financial institution). The operating environment maydepict a network layout where communication between the devices isrepresented. It should be understood that this is a general embodimentof the invention and the invention may further include other networkhardware to accomplish the same functionality as described herein. Itshould be also understood that all communications between the respectivedevices on the network may be accomplished using any type of networkinfrastructure including both wired and wireless communication. Theoperating environment 100 depicted in FIG. 1 includes a personal devicecontainer system 200, a personal computing device management system 140,a data store 160, a business system 170, and a personal computing device300. The operating environment 100 further illustrates an entity network110 and a provisioning network segment 125.

The entity network may include network segments that are sub networks ofthe entity network. Each segment of the entity network 110 is createdbased on a set of communication restrictions being placed on devicescontained within the segment. The personal device container system 200may be used to execute these restrictions.

In the current invention, the entity network 110 contains at least asecured network segment 115. The entity network 110 may further containother segments, such as the private segment 120.

The personal device container system 200 is typically in networkcommunication (e.g., via the entity network 110) with at least thepersonal computing device management system 140, the data store 160, thepersonal computing device 300, and the business system 170. The personaldevice container system 200 acts as a segment management device formanaging communication between the different network segments forprovisioning the personal computing device 300 and managingcommunications between the personal computing device and the securednetwork segment 115. To provision the personal computing device 300, thepersonal device container system 200, provides a connection for thepersonal computing device to the personal computing device managementsystem 140. The personal computing device management system 140 may becontained within the provisioning network segment 125. After thepersonal computing device 300 has been provisioned, the personal devicecontainer system 200 provides a connection between the personalcomputing device and the business system 170 contained within thesecured network segment 115.

The personal device container system 200 may contain at least oneprocessing device that is connected to at least one communication deviceand at least one storage device. The at least one storage device maycontain code that is executable by the at least one processing device toperform receive requests for provisioning a personal computing device300, and communicating with computing devices within the secured networksegment 115. The executable code may further direct to the at least oneprocessing device to establish network tunnels, filter communications,and determine the location of the device.

With respect to network segmentation, one method for segmentationincludes placing communication controls over a segment of the network.Such controls may be established using a firewall or other similardevice. For example, a business server that communicates over a networkcontains sensitive data. A firewall may be placed to restrictcommunication to the business server to prevent certain communicationwith the server. Within the present invention, various embodiments ofthe invention utilize network segmentation in order to provideadditional security. In one embodiment, the business system 170 mayreside in a segmented network. In some embodiments, the segmentednetwork may be the secured network segment 115 of the network 110.Accordingly, the personal device container system 200 may includecommunication controls to restrict access to the business system 170based on the restrictions of the secured network segment. Thesecommunication controls may be described using filter rules.

The personal computing device 300 allows a user to access specificfunctionality over the network 110. The personal computing device 300connects through the network 110 in order for the personal computingdevice 300 to be provisioned and in order to communicate with thebusiness system 170 within the secured network segment 115. The personalcomputing device 300 is typically provisioned by communicating with thepersonal computing device management system 140 and the data store 160.In some embodiments, the personal computing device communicates thoughthe personal computing device management system 140 and the data store160 by communication with the personal device container system 200.

With respect to provisioning the personal computing device 300, in someembodiments, the personal computing device 300 typically receives acertificate as part of the provisioning process. The certificate mayallow the personal computing device to connect to the secured networksegment 115 through the personal device container system 200 to submitrequests and receive responses from the business system 170 containedwithin the secured network segment 115.

Typically, the personal computing device 300 is a mobile device, such asa cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tabletcomputer, or any other suitable mobile electronic device. Moretypically, the personal computing device is a tablet computer. Thepersonal computing device 300 may connect with the network using eithera wired or wireless connection, although the personal computing device300 typically connects using a wireless connection. The personalcomputing device 300 may be configured to be restricted in the networkswhich it might join or may be designed to allow connection to anynetwork. In some embodiments of the present invention, the personalcomputing device is allowed to communicate with the personal devicecontainer system 200 as explained herein.

In some embodiments, the personal computing device 300 may reside in asegmented network where each branch of the entity which is physicallylocated from the other branches is a segmented network. For example, thepersonal computing device 300 may connect to a secured network segment115 by sending a request to the personal device container system 200.The personal device container system 200 may utilize a WIFI router thatis physically located within the same location as the personal computingdevice to receive such a request. The WIFI router may be part of thesame segmented network as the device 300. The personal device containersystem 200 provides a connection between the segmented networkcontaining the personal computing device and the secured network segment115. In some embodiments, the personal device container system 200prohibits communication from the personal computing device to othersegments of the network. The personal device container system 200 maydetermine a segment of the network for which the personal computingdevice is prohibited from communicating.

In other embodiments, the personal device container system 200 maydetermine a segment which the personal computing device may communicatewith based on security credentials contained within the router. Wherethe router allows the personal computing device to connect via WIFI orother wireless communication types, the router may set multiple WIFIaccess points each of which have different security credentials andaccess to a different segment of the network. For example, a user mayreceive a new personal computing device 300 which is preconfigured withmultiple applications which communicate with a business system 170. Thebusiness system 170 is typically on a different segment than thepersonal computing device. A WIFI router provides access to the networkand broadcasts multiple network access points. The device may access afirst network access point using a simple password. The first networkaccess point may provide the personal computing device 300 the abilityto communicate to the personal computing device management system 140and the data store 160 for provisioning. In some embodiments, thepersonal computing device management system 140 and the data store 160are contained within a segment of the network 110. In other embodiments,the personal computing device management system 140 and the data storemay further be contained in a network that is separate from the network110.

To setup multiple points of access, the WIFI router may be configured toestablish a Secure Session Identifier (SSID). In order for a wirelessdevice to connect to the network using the WIFI router, the personalcomputing device must connect to the WIFI Router using the SSID. TheSSID may be part of the credentials necessary to connect to the network.In some embodiments, a single router may allow connection to a networkusing multiple SSIDs. Where a router is configured to allow multipleSSIDs for connecting to a network, the router may create segments on thenetwork to prevent communication between devices that have connectedusing different SSIDs. For example, a business may establish a firstSSID using a wireless router. When a device connects to the first SSIDof the router, the device becomes part of a first network segment thatcommunicates with devices that are internal to the business. Inaddition, the business may also offer a second SSID for visitors.Devices that connect using the second SSID are prohibited fromcommunicating with devices that are inside the first segment.

In the present invention, when the personal computing device 300connects to the network, the personal computing device may connect tothe network 110 through a WIFI router using an SSID. In someembodiments, the personal device container system 200 determines thatthe personal computing device 300 has connected to the network using aspecific SSID. In specific embodiments of the invention, a WIFI routermay be configured to broadcast two SSIDs. The first SSID may be relatedto the provisioning network segment 125. The second SSID may be relatedto the secured network segment 115. The personal device container system200 may determine based on the personal computing device connecting tothe network 110 using the first SSID to direct communication between thepersonal computing device 300 and the secured network segment 125.Additionally, the personal device container system 200 may directcommunications between the personal computing device 300 and the securednetwork segment 115 based on the personal computing device connecting tothe network 110 using the second SSID.

The personal computing device management system 140 typically providescredentials to the personal computing device in order for the personalcomputing device to communicate over a secured network, such as thesecured network segment 115. The personal computing device managementsystem 140 also manages settings, configurations, and programs on thepersonal computing device. The personal computing device managementsystem 140 may be configured to communicate with the data store 160 inorder to gather information related to the personal computing devicenecessary to provision the personal computing device and to managesettings, configurations, and programs on the personal computing device.The personal device container system 200 may restrict how the personalcomputing device management system 140 communicates with the personalcomputing device. The personal computing device management system 140may be a system that is operated by the entity or by a third party. Insome embodiments, the functionality of the personal computing devicemanagement system 140 may be performed by the personal device containersystem 200.

The data store 160 may contain information related to the personalcomputing device, such as device identification associated with thepersonal computing device. The system may store information necessary toprovision the device, such as a certificate. The system may also storeinformation used to manage settings, configurations, and programs, suchas configuration files or programs to be uploaded to the personalcomputing device. The data store may be any medium to store data,including, but not limited to, a relational database, an object orienteddatabase, a file store, and the like. The data store may communicatewith the personal device container system 200 to receive the informationrelated to the personal computing device 300.

The secured network segment 115 of the network 110 may contain computingdevices that restrict communications received from and transmitted todevices outside the secured network segment, such as communications withthe personal computing device 300. An embodiment of one of thesecomputing devices is the business system 170. The business system 170may represent an entire network architecture of an entity that is meantto be secured and segmented from the rest of the network. The businesssystem 170 may contain computing devices, servers, data stores, and thelike in order to accomplish any function of the business. Suchfunctionality may include, but is not limited to, managing email,storing information, hosting servers, and the like. The business system170 may connect to the personal device container system in order toprovide information related to requests from the personal computingdevice. The business system 170 may also connect to other networks thatare not represented within FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the personaldevice container system 200 restricts access to and from the businesssystem with the rest of the network. For example, the personal computingdevice management system 140 and the data store 160 may be prohibitedfrom communicating with the business system and the personal computingdevice 300 may be prohibited from communicating directly with thebusiness system 170. In other embodiments, the personal device containersystem may provide limited functionality to and from the businesssystem. For example, the personal computing device 300 may receive emailfrom the business system 170 but may be restricted from access to allother functionality of the business system 170.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a personal device containersystem 200 for directing communication from a personal computing devicefor provisioning the personal computing device and subsequentlyproviding communication between the personal computing device andcomputing devices contained in a secured network segment. In someembodiments of the invention, the personal device container system is acomputing device capable of routing requests between various networksegments of the network 110 and various devices in communication withthe network 110, such as the personal computing device 300.

The personal device container system 200 typically includes devices(e.g., routers and firewalls) to filter communications both internal andexternal to the network 110. The personal device container system 200may also include computing devices and hardware to limit and evenprohibit communications with other network segments such as the privatesegment 120 contained within the network 110. As depicted within FIG. 2,the personal device container system 200 may comprise a foreigncontroller 210, a control point 220, an operating router 260, and anexternal router 270. It should be understood that the personal devicecontainer system 200 represented in FIG. 2 is a general embodiment ofthe present invention and may include other hardware and softwaredevices to assist the personal device container system in performing thefunctionality for which it is configured. Each device that performs afiltering function within the personal device container system 200 mayimplement filter rules to accomplish this function.

The foreign controller 210 is presented as a computing device thatprovides communication support from the personal computing device 300 tothe operating router 260 and the control point 220. The foreigncontroller 210 may provide firewall functionality under which itrestricts communications from the personal computing device 300 to thecontrol point 220 and the operating router 260. The foreign controllermay provide the personal computing device 300 a connection either usinga wireless or a wired connection. Additionally, in some embodiments, theforeign controller may connect with other networks such as a mobilenetwork or networks external to the network presented in order toconnect the personal computing device with the rest of the network. Forexample, the personal computing device 300 may be located in a physicallocation of the entity.

In specific embodiments, the foreign controller 210 routes traffic toeither the control point 220 or the operating router 260. Prior to thepersonal computing device 300 being provisioned, the foreign controllermay process a request from the personal computing device to becomeprovisioned. The foreign controller 210 routes such a request to thecontrol point. Typically, before the personal computing device 300 hasbecome provisioned, if the personal computing device attempts tocommunicate with the secured network segment 115, the foreign controller210 will filter (and block) such a request. After the personal computingdevice 300 has become provisioned, the foreign 210 may process a requestfrom the personal computing device to communicate with a device on thesecured network segment 115 (e.g., by routing such request to theoperating router 260). The foreign controller may determine how to routesuch requests based on whether the device has been provisioned. Theforeign controller may determine whether the personal computing device300 is provisioned based on authenticating a certificate the personalcomputing device receives upon being provisioned. The personal computingdevice may use the certificate to request to communicate with thesecured network segment 115 via the personal device container system200.

In some embodiments, the foreign controller 210 may filter (and block)communication to other segments of the network 110. Such a segment isillustrated as the private segment 120. In such an embodiment, theforeign controller 210 may entirely block communication between thepersonal computing device 300 and the private segment 120 (e.g.,regardless of whether the personal computing device 300 has a validcertificate) but may allow the personal computing device 300, once ithas a valid certificate, to communicate with the secured network segment170 and devices contained therein.

In some embodiments, the location of various network components andhardware may be physically located apart from one another. Connecting astandard network connection may be undesirable or infeasible. In such asituation, connecting the various devices through the Internet may be apractical means of creating a network connection. Such a connection maybe accomplished using Network Tunneling. The entity may utilize a localWIFI router that is connected to a local internet service provider(ISP). The ISP provides a connection to the Internet which in turn isconnected to the foreign controller 210. It is generally understoodcommunications between the foreign controller 210 and the personalcomputing device 300 will typically pass through multiple routers,switches and the like in order for such a communication to betransmitted. In order to provide secure communication between theforeign controller 210 and the personal computing device 300, theforeign controller may be configured to establish a network tunnel, asdefined herein, to securely transmit such communications.

As depicted within FIG. 2, the personal device container system 200 mayemploy the control point 220 to handle communications between thepersonal computing device 300 and the personal computing devicemanagement system 140. The control point 220 may be any standard networkarchitecture that provides functionality substantially similar to thatexplained herein. In some embodiments, the control point comprises aninternal firewall 230, a proxy server 240, and an external firewall 250.The foreign controller 210 communicates with the internal firewall 230in order to forward communications from the personal computing device300 to the personal computing device management system and receiveresponses back from the personal computing device management system. Theinternal firewall 230 restricts types of communication from the personalcomputing device 300. These restrictions may be either by protocol (i.e.HTTP, TCP), by an address or identifier of the personal computing device300, and by destination (i.e. an address of the personal computingdevice management system). Specifically, the internal firewall 230 mayrestrict all access from the personal computing device such that it islimited to communicating directly with the personal computing devicemanagement system 140. Further communications to the personal computingdevice management system 140 may be limited to requests forprovisioning. The internal firewall 230 may reject all othercommunications 230.

The personal computing device management system 230 communicates withthe proxy server 240. In general, a proxy server is designed to receivea request from a given computing device and forward that request to theintended recipient of the request. A typical request will have anaddress of the requestor attached to the request. Some recipients of arequest will reject the request if the sender cannot be identified by anapproved sender. Therefore, any communication from a sender that is notapproved will be rejected. A proxy server allows the request to changeits address to that of the proxy server. Therefore, if the address ofthe proxy server is approved by the recipient, the request will begranted regardless of the address of the sender. In some embodiments,the personal computing device management system 140 requires a specificaddress be attached to a request before the personal computing devicemanagement system will receive such a request. The personal computingdevice management system 140 may be configured to accept communicationfrom the proxy server 240 based on the address of the proxy server.Therefore, any communication directed to the personal computing devicemanagement system 140 from the personal computing device 300 will beapproved by the personal computing device management system.Additionally, the proxy server 240 may store an identifier of therequest to determine the actual sender of the request; otherwise, if therecipient made a reply, the proxy server would not be able to forwardthe response to the sender. By storing an identifier associated with therequest, when the proxy server 240 receives a response from the personalcomputing device management system 140, the proxy server may forwardsuch response to the personal computing device 300.

The proxy server 240 is directly connected to an external firewall 250.Similar to the internal firewall 230, the external firewall 250restricts communications. However, the external firewall 250 restrictscommunications from external the network to the internal portions of thenetwork. The external network 250 may employ the same filters as theinternal firewall 240 to restrict such communications. In a specificembodiment, the external firewall 250 restricts all communicationsexternal from the network except communications from the personalcomputing device management system 140. Further, the external firewall250 may restrict communications from the personal computing devicemanagement system to any device except the personal computing device 300and such communications may be further limited to a response to aprovisioning request. In other embodiments, the restrictions may be lesssever and may allow other communications external to the network.

The external firewall 250 is connected to an external router 270. Theexternal router directs communications from the personal computingdevice 300 to the personal computing device management system 140.Similar to the foreign controller 210, the external router 270 maycommunicate indirectly with the personal computing device managementsystem 140. This communication may comprise transmitting thecommunication through the Internet, routers, switchers, servers and thelike. Similar to the foreign controller 210, the external router 270 mayestablish a network tunnel in order to secure the communication betweenthe personal computing device 300 and the personal computing devicemanagement system.

The operating router 260 is connected to the foreign controller 210. Theoperating router 260 may further be connected to the business system 170and other entities that may be external to the network. Similar to boththe foreign controller 210 and the external controller 270, theoperating router 260 may be configured to create a network tunnel totransmit communications securely through external networks. In thisregard, the business system 170 may be physically located in a facilitydifferent from the personal device container system 200 and the personalcomputing device 300. The network tunnel adapts other networks as ifthey were extensions of the base network. The operating routercommunicates requests from the personal computing device 300 and returnsresponses to the personal computing device 300. In some embodiments, theoperating router 260 acts as a firewall in which it restrictscommunications from the personal computing device 300 and the businesssystem 170. Such restrictions may be based on the functionality of thepersonal computing device 300. Such functionality may be either inherentto the personal computing device or may be manually configured. Forexample, a personal computing device 300 may be configured to receiveand send email and all other functionality restricted. The operatingrouter 260 may be configured, when a request is received from thepersonal computing device 300, to determine the whether the request iseither to receive or send email. If the request is for sending andreceiving email, the operating router 260 may permit the request topass. If the request is for something other than that which is approvedfor the personal computing device 300 is configured to perform, theoperating router 260 rejects such a request.

In addition to acting as a firewall, the operating router may alsoprovide multi-user management for the personal computing device 300,where the personal computing device is configured for multi-user supportas defined within this specification. The personal computing device 300may be configured to provide a multi-user experience for the personalcomputing device 300. In some embodiments where the personal computingdevice 300 is configured to provide multi-user support, the operatingrouter 260 may access information related to users and the personalcomputing device in order to direct communications between the personalcomputing device and different network segments.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the personal computing device 300 associatedwith the user and embodied as a mobile device is described. FIG. 3provides a block diagram illustrating personal computing device 300 inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. However, it should beunderstood, however, that a mobile device is merely illustrative of onetype of personal computing device 300 that may benefit from, employ, orotherwise be involved with embodiments of the present invention and,therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of embodiments of thepresent invention. The personal computing device 300 may include othertypes of mobile devices which may include portable digital assistants(PDAs), mobile telephone, smartphones, or any other mobile device.

The personal computing device 300 generally includes a processor 310communicably coupled to such devices as a memory 320, user outputdevices 336, user input devices 340, a communication interface 360, apower source 315, a clock or other timer 350, a camera 380, and apositioning system device 375. The processor 310 generally includescircuitry for implementing communication and/or logic functions of thepersonal computing device 300. The processor 310 can additionallyinclude an internal data modem. Further, the processor 310 may includefunctionality to operate one or more software programs, which may bestored in the memory 320. For example, the processor 310 may be capableof operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser application322. The web browser application 322 may then allow the personalcomputing device 300 to transmit and receive web content, such as, forexample, location-based content and/or other web page content, accordingto a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP), and/or the like.

The processor 310 is configured to use the communication interface 360to communicate with one or more other devices on the network. In thisregard, the communication interface 360 includes an antenna 376operatively coupled to a transmitter 374 and a receiver 372 (together a“transceiver”). The processor 310 is configured to provide signals toand receive signals from the transmitter 374 and receiver 372,respectively. In some embodiments where network is a wireless telephonenetwork, the signals may include signaling information in accordancewith the air interface standard of the applicable cellular system of thewireless telephone network. In this regard, the personal computingdevice 300 may be configured to operate with one or more air interfacestandards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types.By way of illustration, the personal computing device 300 may beconfigured to operate in accordance with any of a number of first,second, third, and/or fourth-generation communication protocols and/orthe like. For example, the personal computing device 300 may beconfigured to operate in accordance with second-generation (2G) wirelesscommunication protocols IS-136 (time division multiple access (TDMA)),GSM (global system for mobile communication), and/or IS-95 (codedivision multiple access (CDMA)), or with third-generation (3G) wirelesscommunication protocols, such as Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS), CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and/or timedivision-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), with fourth-generation (4G)wireless communication protocols, and/or the like. The personalcomputing device 300 may also be configured to operate in accordancewith non-cellular communication mechanisms, such as via a wireless localarea network (WLAN), near field communication network, or othercommunication/data networks.

The communication interface 360 may also include a near fieldcommunication (NFC) interface 370. As used herein, the phrase “NFCinterface” generally refers to hardware and/or software that isconfigured to contactlessly and/or wirelessly send and/or receiveinformation over relatively short ranges (e.g., within four inches,within three feet, within fifteen feet, and the like). The NFC interface370 may include a smart card, key card, proximity card, Bluetooth®device, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and/or reader,transmitter, receiver, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the NFCinterface 370 communicates information via radio, infrared (IR), and/oroptical transmissions. In some embodiments, the NFC interface 370 isconfigured to operate as an NFC transmitter and/or as an NFC receiver(e.g., an NFC reader). Also, it will be understood that the NFCinterface 370 may be embedded, built, carried, and/or otherwisesupported in and/or on the personal computing device 300. In someembodiments, the NFC interface 370 is not supported in and/or on thepersonal computing device 300, but the NFC interface 370 is otherwiseoperatively connected to the personal computing device 300 (e.g., wherethe NFC interface 370 is a peripheral device plugged into the personalcomputing device 300). Other apparatuses having NFC interfaces mentionedherein may be configured similarly. In some embodiments, the NFCinterface 370 of the personal computing device 300 is configured tocontactlessly and/or wirelessly communicate information to and/or from acorresponding NFC interface of another apparatus (e.g., another mobileor computing device).

As described above, the personal computing device 300 has a userinterface that is made up of user output devices 336 and/or user inputdevices 340. The user output devices 336 include a display 330 (e.g., aliquid crystal display or the like) and a speaker 332 or other audiodevice, which are operatively coupled to the processor 310. The userinput devices 340, which allow the personal computing device 300 toreceive data from a user, may include any of a number of devicesallowing the personal computing device 300 to receive data from a user,such as a keypad, keyboard, touch-screen, touchpad, microphone, mouse,joystick, other pointer device, button, soft key, and/or other inputdevice(s). The user interface may also include a camera 380, such as adigital camera.

The personal computing device 300 may also include a positioning systemdevice 375 that is configured to be used by a positioning system todetermine a location of the personal computing device 300. For example,the positioning system device 375 may include a GPS transceiver. In someembodiments, the positioning system device 375 is at least partiallymade up of the antenna 376, transmitter 374, and receiver 372 describedabove. For example, in one embodiment, triangulation of cellular signalsmay be used to identify the approximate location of the personalcomputing device 300. In other embodiments, the positioning systemdevice 375 includes a proximity sensor or transmitter, such as an RFIDtag, that can sense or be sensed by devices known to be locatedproximate a merchant or other location to determine that the consumerpersonal computing device 300 is located proximate these known devices.

The personal computing device 300 further includes a power source 315,such as a battery, for powering various circuits and other devices thatare used to operate the personal computing device 300. Embodiments ofthe personal computing device 300 may also include a clock or othertimer 350 configured to determine and, in some cases, communicate actualor relative time to the processor 310 or one or more other devices.

The personal computing device 300 also includes a memory 320 operativelycoupled to the processor 310. As used herein, memory includes anycomputer readable medium (as defined herein below) configured to storedata, code, or other information. The memory 420 may include volatilememory, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM) including a cachearea for the temporary storage of data. The memory 320 may also includenon-volatile memory, which can be embedded and/or may be removable. Thenon-volatile memory can additionally or alternatively include anelectrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory or the like.

The memory 320 can store any of a number of applications which comprisecomputer-executable instructions/code executed by the processor 310 toimplement the functions of the personal computing device 300 describedherein. For example, the memory 320 may include such applications as oneor more entity applications 321 (i.e., applications provided by theentity to the personal computing device via the personal devicecontainer system), conventional web browser application 322, a SMSapplication 323, and a conventional email application 324. Theseapplications typically provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on thedisplay 330 that allows a user to interact with these applications. Thememory 320 may include an access management module 326 that manages thepersonal computing device's access to entity networks and systems asdescribed herein. The memory 320 typically includes one or moreconfiguration files 325 having personal computing device settings storedtherein.

In some embodiments, the entity applications 321 may be used to providevarious functions to users of the personal computing device 300. Forexample, an entity application may provide email access, access tointranet sites operated by the entity, and/or web browsingfunctionality. An entity application may provide marketing materialsthat can be provided to a customer by a personal computing device user.The entity applications 321 may provide users with secured access tovarious entity systems via the personal device container system. One ormore of the entity applications may provide for a multi-user experience.Such an entity application may prompt a user to provide user-specificsecurity credentials (e.g., username and password), which are thenauthenticated by the personal device container system. Once the user hasbeen authenticated, user-specific content can be provided (e.g., accessto the user's email account). In some instances, user-access to anentity application or to certain entity systems via an entityapplication may be restricted (e.g., via the personal device containersystem) depending upon the identity of the user (e.g., only certainusers may be able to access certain entity systems).

The memory 320 can also store any of a number of pieces of information,and data, used by the personal computing device 300 and the applicationsand devices that make up the personal computing device 300 or are incommunication with the personal computing device 300 to implement thefunctions of the personal computing device 300 and/or the other systemsdescribed herein. For example, the memory 320 may include credentialsprovided by the personal computing device management system 140 once thepersonal computing device 300 has been provisioned. In addition, thememory 320 may include user-specific security credentials that can beused to verify the identity of a specific user (e.g., a first user or asecond user).

Before the personal computing device 300 can connect to the securednetwork segment 115, the personal computing device must first besupplied with proper credentials. In this regard, FIG. 4 depicts amethod 400 for provisioning the personal computing device 300 so thatthe personal computing device 300 has the credentials needed tosubsequently connect the personal computing device to the securednetwork segment. The method includes the steps of: providing a personalcomputing device a connection to a provisioning network segment asdepicted in block 405, creating a network tunnel between the device andthe personal computing device management system as depicted in block410, validating the personal computing device based on a deviceidentifier as depicted in block 415, retrieving a certificate based onvalidating the personal computing device as depicted in block 420, andcommunicating the certificate to the personal computing device using thenetwork tunnel as depicted in block 425. Each of the steps of method 400will be more fully explained.

Block 405 of method 400 depicts providing a personal computing device aconnection to a provisioning network segment 125. As explained withinthis specification, a network may contain network segments each of whichfilter incoming and outgoing communications to protect the computingdevices contained within the network segment. In some embodiments of theinvention, the personal computing device 300 is not yet provisioned tocommunicate on the secured network segment 115. The personal computingdevice 300 must be provisioned prior to communicating on the securednetwork segment 115. In some embodiments, the personal computing devicemay first connect to a provisioning network segment 125 in order toreceive the necessary credentials to become provisioned. The personaldevice container system 200 may provide such access using a routerphysically located near the personal computing device. In someembodiments, the router may provide either a wired or wireless accesspoint for the personal computing device to connect the provisioningnetwork segment 125. Where the connection is a wireless connection, therouter may establish an (Secure Session Identifier) SSID to which thepersonal computing device may use to connect. The SSID may be part of aset of security credentials needed to communicate with the provisioningsegment 125. As explained herein, the personal device container system200 may determine an SSID that the personal computing device 300 hasutilized to connect to the network 110. Using this determination, thepersonal device container system 200 may direct communication todifferent segments of the network 110.

In addition to providing the access point to the personal computingdevice to connect to the provisioning network segment, the personaldevice container system 200 may further provide an address to personalcomputing device. In some embodiments, the provisioning network segmentis a segment of a larger network to which the secured network is also asegment.

In some embodiments, providing the personal computing device 300 accessto the provisioning network segment requires the personal computingdevice to provide security credentials to the router or the personaldevice container system 200. The security credentials may bepreconfigured into the personal computing device 300 or manually enteredby a user. The SSID may be part of the security credentials.

Typically, the personal computing device 300 or the router may bedirectly connected to the personal device container system 200. However,in larger entities, the personal computing device and a WIFI router maybe physically different location than the personal device containersystem 200 and other devices contained within the network 110.Therefore, a direct connection between the personal computing device andthe network 110 may not be practical. Instead, it may be more likelythat the router is provided a connection to the Internet by an internetservice provider (ISP) which connects to the personal device containersystem 200. As a result, security may be a concern for communicatingacross this spectrum. In some embodiments, the personal device containersystem 200 may use the foreign controller 210 and/or the external router270 to establish a network tunnel in order to provide a secure channelof communication between the personal computing device 300 and thepersonal computing device management system 140. The network tunnel mayprovide layers of security by layering communications using differentprotocols. In addition to using different protocols, the layers mayadditionally include encryption.

The personal device container system 200 routes the communication fromthe personal computing device to the network provisioning segment 125.Specifically, the communications from the personal computing device 300are received by the personal computing device management system 140 andthe data store 160. The personal device container system 200 istypically configured to automatically rout communications from thepersonal computing device 300 to the network provisioning segment 125 ifthe personal computing device 300 connects to the network 110 using afirst SSID. The personal device container system 200 may further requirethe personal computing device to supply additional credentials in orderto connect to the network provisioning segment 125. The additionalcredentials may include a password. In some embodiments, where thepersonal computing device is connected to the provisioning networksegment 125, the personal device container system 200 may restrict thepersonal computing device 300 from communicating with any device locatedon the network 110 except the personal computing device managementsystem 140. Specifically, the personal device container system wouldblock communications from the personal computing device to any device onthe secured network segment 115, such as the business system 170. Asexplained in other areas of the specification, the communication fromthe personal computing device 300 to the personal computing devicemanagement system 140 may pass through the control point 220 of thepersonal device container system 200. Additionally, the personal devicecontainer system may be configured to restrict communication from adevice that does not contain an approved address (i.e. IP address). Assuch, the control point 220 typically provides a proxy server 240 toprovide an authorized address for the personal computing device. Theinternal firewall 230 may also restrict communication to the personalcomputing device management system and other systems that are externalto the network. These restrictions may be based on the address of thepersonal computing device 300, the protocol the personal computingdevice used to communicate the request, and the intended recipient ofthe request.

Block 415 of method 400 depicts validating the personal computing devicebased on a device identifier (i.e., device identification informationassociated with the personal computing device). The deviceidentification information associated with the personal computing devicemay be any information sufficient to generate a device “fingerprint,” orunique signature of the customer's personal computing device. Deviceidentification information may be collected from a variety of sources.In some embodiments, the device identification information includes anidentification code. The identification code may be but is not limitedto a serial number or an item number of the device. In some embodiments,the device identification information may be associated with a chipassociated with the personal computing device. The chip may be but isnot limited to a subscriber identification module (SIM) card, removablehard drive, processor, microprocessor, or the like. In otherembodiments, the device identification information may be associatedwith a removable part of the personal computing device. Removable partsinclude but are not limited to detachable keyboards, battery covers,cases, hardware accessories, or the like. Removable parts may containserial numbers or part numbers. In alternative embodiments, a uniquekey, code, or piece of software provided by a financial institution maybe downloaded onto the personal computing device. This unique key, code,or piece of software may then serve as device authenticationinformation. In some embodiments, device identification information mayneed to be entered manually at the personal computing device. Forexample, the online banking system may prompt the customer for manualentry of the device identification information (e.g., a serial number,an identification code, an International Mobile Station EquipmentIdentity (IMEI), a phone number, a chip, a removable part, or similarpieces of device identification information). In other embodiments,device identification information may not be based on user inputreceived at the personal computing device. Instead, the deviceidentification information may be automatically provided by the personalcomputing device. In yet another embodiment, the personal computingdevice may provide the information without requiring user input afterreceiving a request from the online banking system for theidentification information.

In order the validate the personal computing device, the personal devicecontainer system 200 grants the personal computing device 300 access tothe personal computing device management system 140 and the data store160. Such a request is directed by the personal device container system200 to the personal computing device management system 140 and the datastore 160. The request may contain the device identifier of the personalcomputing device. Alternatively, the device identifier may be providedby the personal computing device 300 after receiving a request for thedevice identifier from the personal computing device management system140. In some embodiments, through the personal computing devicemanagement system 140, the device identifier is checked against a listof devices each of which are allowed to be provisioned. The list ofdevices is stored within a data store, such as the data store 160, whichmay either be a part of the network or external to the network. In anycase, if the device identifier matches the corresponding deviceidentifier of one of the devices located on the approved device list,the personal computing device management system 140 may continue withthe provisioning process. In the event that the device identifier is notlocated on the list of approved devices, the personal computing devicemanagement system may record the device identifier and further rejectany attempt of the personal computing device to become provisioned.Additionally, because the personal device container system 200 providescommunication to other segments on the network, the personal devicecontainer system may restrict any communication from the rejected deviceon the network.

Block 420 of method 400 depicts obtaining a certificate based onvalidating the personal computing device. In this regard, after thepersonal computing device management system 140 has validates thepersonal computing device, the personal device container system 200 maygenerate a certificate which allows the personal computing device 300 togain access to the secured network segment 115 and then provides thecertificate to the personal computing device management system 140. Insome embodiments, rather than the personal device container system 200generating the certificate, the personal computing device managementsystem 140 may retrieve an appropriate certificate, such as from a datastore (e.g., data store 160) or from another system. In someembodiments, the certificate is based on Transport Layer Security (TLS)protocol and further encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard(AES). It should be understood that any encryption standard may be usedto develop the certificate.

Block 425 of method 400 depicts communicating the certificate to thepersonal computing device using the network tunnel. In some embodiments,either the personal computing device management system 140 or thepersonal device container system 200 communicates the certificate to thepersonal computing device over the secured tunnel. After communicationwith the personal computing device is complete, the personal devicecontainer system 200 may terminate the secure tunnel.

Once the personal computing device 300 has been supplied thecertificate, the personal computing device management system 140 may, asshown in Block 430, push certain settings, configurations, and programsto the personal computing device 300. For example, the personalcomputing device management system 140 may configure the personalcomputing device 300 so that the personal computing device's networkingand security settings comply with entity requirements. In someembodiments, these settings and configurations may block or restrict theuse of certain programs (e.g., by disabling productivity programs otherthan the entity applications 321) residing on the personal computingdevice or certain functionality of the personal computing device. Inaddition, the personal computing device management system 140 may causethe personal computing device 300 to download one or more entityapplications 321. Although the personal computing device managementsystem 140 is typically configured to push settings and programs to thepersonal computing device 300 upon providing the certificate to thepersonal computing device 300, the personal computing device managementsystem 140 may at any time subsequent thereto update settings orprograms on the personal computing device 300, or provide new programsor new configuration files to the personal computing device 300. Forexample, the personal computing device management system 140 may beconfigured to provide updated program and settings to the personalcomputing device 300 at regular intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, ormonthly).

Once the personal computing device obtains the certificate, the personalcomputing device 300 may be granted access to the secured networksegment 115. In this regard, FIG. 5 depicts a method 500 for granting apersonal computing device 300 access to a secure network. Method 500provides steps for receiving a request to connect a personal computingdevice to a secured network as depicted in block 505, analyzing acertificate (e.g., a security certificate) of the personal computingdevice as depicted in block 510, and providing the personal computingdevice a connection to the secured network as depicted in block 515.

Block 505 of method 500 illustrates receiving a request to connect apersonal computing device to a secured network segment. After receivingthe certificate, the personal computing device 300 may connect andcommunicate with the personal device container system 200 in order toconnect to the secured network segment 115. In some embodiments, therouter that hosted the access point to the provisioning network segmentmay also provide a second access point using an SSID that is differentthan the SSID described in method 400. In other embodiments, a secondrouter may be used. The personal computing device 300 sends a request toconnect to the personal device container system 200 by accessing asecond access point. The personal computing device 300 submits such arequest using the certificate. The personal device container system 200receives the request and determines based on the certificate whether togrant the personal computing device 300 access to the secured network asdepicted in block 510 of method 500. In this regard, the personal devicecontainer system 200 typically verifies the authenticity of thecertificate of the personal computing device 300. In some embodiments,the personal device container system 200 provides its own certificate tothe personal computing device 300, which the personal computing device300 subsequently authenticates. Accordingly, mutual authentication maybe provided for communication between the personal computing device 300and the network 110.

After verifying (e.g., authenticating) the certificate, the personaldevice container system 200 may provide the personal computing device aconnection to the secured network segment 115 via a network tunnel asdepicted in block 515 of method 500. In the event that the personaldevice container system 200 cannot validate the certificate, thepersonal device container system may block communication between thepersonal computing device 300 and the secured network segment 115. Inthe event that the personal device container system 200 cannot validatethe certificate, the personal device container system may also perform asecurity function such as adding the certificate and the deviceidentifier to a blacklist, communicating a message to a user or otherauthority detailing the attempted access, communicating a message to thepersonal computing device on further instructions for connecting thedevices, and the like.

In some embodiments, the personal device container system 200 grants thepersonal computing device 300 access to the secured network segment 115(e.g., by creating a network tunnel). The network tunnel may becontinuous and direct between the personal computing device and systemor may be accomplished using multiple tunnels. Where the network tunnelis accomplished using multiple tunnels, the foreign controller 210 ofthe personal device container system 200, may create a first networktunnel between the personal computing device 300 and the personal devicecontainer system 200. The operating router 206 may create a secondtunnel between the personal device container system 200 and the businesssystem 170. The foreign controller 210 and the operating router 260 maycommunicate message between the two tunnels. In some embodiments, thetunnels are only created when the personal computing device 300transmits a request to the business system 170 and the tunnels areterminated when the business system 260 has communicated the response tothe request. In other embodiments, the tunnels are persistent.

In other embodiments, the foreign controller 210 and the operatingrouter 260 may be configured to filter requests from the personalcomputing device 300 and the devices located on the secured networksegment 115, such as the business system 170. In such an instance, theforeign controller 210 and the operating router 260 may be configured asfirewalls. Such filtering may be as a result of functionality of thepersonal computing device 300. Such functionality may be inherent to thepersonal computing device or manually asserted. For example, a personalcomputing device that has been provisioned to communicate over a securednetwork with a business system has been configured to send and receiveemails with an email server on the business system. If the personalcomputing device 300 sends an email, either the foreign controller 210or the operating router 260 may determine that the personal computingdevice has the ability to perform the function and forward the request.However, if the personal computing device 300 attempts to perform afunction for which the device 300 has not been configured, the foreigncontroller 210 or the operating router 260 may reject such request. Thepersonal device container system 200 may store permissions (i.e.,functionality permitted by the personal device container system 200) foreach device it manages. Therefore, a first personal computing device maybe permitted to perform certain functionality that a second personalcomputing device is not permitted to perform. Therefore, the foreigncontroller 210 or the operating router 260 may limit communicationrequests from the second device and forward communication requests fromthe first device, depending upon the functions each device is permittedto perform.

In block 520, a request is received (e.g., received by the personaldevice container system 200 or the business system 170) from thepersonal computing device 300 to access the secured network via aparticular entity application. In this regard, a first user of thepersonal computing device 300 may initiate the particular entityapplication (e.g. by selecting an icon for the entity application). Theentity application may be an application that provides user-specificcontent (e.g., access to the first user's email or access to certainfiles of the first user stored on the business system 170). The entityapplication may be an application that provides user-restricted content(i.e., content that certain users can access but other users cannotaccess). In some embodiments, the entity application may be anapplication that provides content that is not restricted (e.g.,marketing materials to be provided to customers).

In block 525, the identity of the first user of the personal computingdevice 300 is authenticated. In this regard, the personal devicecontainer system 200 or the business system 170 (i) may determine thatthe entity application is an application that accesses user-specificand/or user-restricted content and (ii), based on this determination,may send a request to the personal computing device 300 for the firstuser to provide the first user's credentials. Thereafter, the first usermay provide the first user's credentials to the personal devicecontainer system 200 or the business system 170, which the personaldevice container system 200 or the business system 170 thenauthenticates. User credentials may be any information, such as ausername, password, passcode, personal identification number, and/orbiometric information, that can be used to authenticate the identity ofa user of the personal computing device 300. If the first user'scredentials, then the personal device container system 200 or thebusiness system 170 may block the entity application from accessingcontent on the secured network segment (e.g., content stored by thebusiness system 170). If the entity application is an application thatdoes not access user-specific and/or user-restricted content, then thepersonal device container system 200 or the business system 170 mayallow the entity application to access content on the secured networksegment (e.g., content stored by the business system 170).

In block 530, based on the identity of the first user beingauthenticated, the personal device container system 200 or the businesssystem 170 may permit the personal computing device to accessuser-specific and/or user-restricted content associated with the firstuser via the entity application. Once this content has been received bythe personal computing device it may be displayed to the first user viaa display device of the personal computing device. In this regard, suchcontent may be displayed within a graphical user interface provided bythe entity application. Although the identity of the first user has beenauthenticated, the personal device container system 200 or the businesssystem 170 is still typically configured to block access touser-specific content not associated with the first user and touser-restricted content that the first user does not have permission toaccess. In addition, based on the identity of the first user, thepersonal device container system 200 or the business system 170 mayallow the first user to have access to certain functionality provided bythe business system 170 but may block other functionality provided bythe business system 170.

Thereafter, if a second user wishes to use the entity application on thepersonal computing device 300, the second user must provide the seconduser's credentials before user-specific and/or user-restricted contentassociated with the second user can be accessed via the entityapplication. Accordingly, the entity applications can be employed as asecured way of provided user-specific content to different users of thepersonal computing device 300.

FIG. 6 depicts a method 600 for filtering communication from a personalcomputing device 300 to a secured network segment 115 based ondetermining the location of the personal computing device. Block 605 ofmethod 600 depicts determining a geographic operating area for apersonal computing device. The personal device container system 200 maybe configured to determine a geographic operating area for the personalcomputing device 300. The geographic operating area may be a predefinedlocation defined by the entity, such as a certain entity facility. Thepredefined location may be location information for geographic locationsproximate to an entity facility. This location information may includethe address, GPS coordinates, longitude and latitude, location name,and/or any other information sufficient to identify the geographicoperating area. In some embodiments, the location information mayinclude one or more geo-fences that reflect the geographic operatingarea. A geo-fence is a virtual perimeter that defines the boundaries ofan actual geographic area. In some embodiments, the location informationassociated with the geographic operating area may be identificationinformation associated with a wireless network (e.g., a wireless networkassociated with an entity facility).

Block 610 of method 600 depicts receiving a request from the personalcomputing device to communicate with a business device within thesecured network segment 115. As explained herein, the personal computingdevice 300 communicates with different computing devices, such as thebusiness system 170, to perform functions and receive information. Theinformation communicated from the business system 170 may be sensitiveinformation. Accordingly, the entity that manages such information maydesire to protect the dissemination of such information. Therefore, theentity may establish additional security measures to control thecommunication of the information. In one embodiment, the personal devicecontainer system 200 may filter requests based on the location of thedevice.

To assist in securing information received on a personal computingdevice, the personal device container system 200 may determine thegeographic location of the personal computing device as depicted inblock 615 of method 600. In some embodiments, where the personalcomputing device is configured with a means for determining location(i.e. GPS), the device may transmit a location when it receives arequest from the system. The personal device container system 200 maydetermine based on such a location to send the command to perform thesecurity function. Additionally, the personal device container system200 may further determine if the personal computing device 300 isutilizing an unauthorized network to communicate. The personal computingdevice 300 may be configured to perform a security feature such as lockthe device, wipe the memory of the device, or communicate a message to auser or another authority. In yet other embodiments, the personalcomputing device may be configured with a short range communicationinterface (e.g. a Bluetooth or NFC interface). The device maycommunicate with an emitter that provides credentials to the device.Such credentials are passed on with a request from the personalcomputing device.

Block 620 presents determining whether the geographic location of thepersonal computing device is within the geographic operating area. Insome exemplary embodiments, determining whether the geographic locationof the personal computing device is within the geographic operating areaincludes determining whether the geographic location informationassociated with the personal computing device is within a geo-fenceassociated with the predefined location. In some exemplary embodiments,determining whether the geographic location of the personal computingdevice is within the geographic operating area includes determiningwhether the location information associated with the personal computingdevice is located within a predefined distance from the predefinedlocation. It will be appreciated that any approach to determining thatthe personal computing device is located within a predetermined distancefrom the predefined location may be used. For example, a computerprocessor may compare the GPS coordinates associated with the personalcomputing device with the GPS coordinates associated with the predefinedlocation and calculate a distance. The predefined distance may be a fewmeters, tens of meters, or an even larger distance. The predetermineddistance is somewhat influenced by the margin of error associated withthe relating to the location of the personal computing device to thelocation associated with the predefined location. The more accurate thelocation information, the tighter range that can be selected for thepredefined distance. In some exemplary embodiments, determining whetherthe geographic location of the personal computing device is within thegeographic operating area includes determining whether the personalcomputing device is in communication with a predefined wireless network(e.g., a local area network associated with a predefined location).

If the personal computing device 300 is located within the geographicoperating area, the personal device container system 200 may forward therequest to the business device (e.g., the business system 170) asdepicted in block 625 of method 600. If the personal computing device isnot located within the geographic operating area, the personal devicecontainer system may communicate a remote command for the personalcomputing device to perform a security function, as depicted in block630 or method 600. The security function may be for the device toperform a wipe of information stored on the personal computing device.In another embodiment, the security function may be for the personalcomputing device 300 to lock. While in another embodiment, the securityfunction may be for the personal computing device 300 to display amessage stating the personal computing device is not within thegeographic operating area. In addition to the above stated securityfunctions, the personal device container system 200 may additionallyperform functions as a result determining whether the location of thepersonal computing device is within the geographic operating area. Suchfunctions may include, sending a message to a user or another authoritythat location of the device, and limiting functionality of the types ofrequests the personal computing device 300 may communicate.

In some embodiments, when credentials are received from the personalcomputing device 300, the personal device container system 200 maydetermine whether the credentials are appropriate. If the credentialsare not appropriate, the personal device container system 200 maycommunicate the command to perform the security function to the personalcomputing device 300. In addition to sending the command for the deviceto perform a security function, the personal device container system 200may simply filter the request instead of forwarding the request to theintended recipient. As a specific example, a financial institution mayhave a provisioned personal computing device that communicates with thepersonal device container system 200 in order to setup and managefinancial accounts on behalf of a customer. In order for the device tosend a request to perform this function, the device must be connected toa secure network and be within a given distance of a Bluetooth emitter.If the device is not connected to the secure network, the personaldevice container system will filter the request and send a command tothe device to both wipe and lock the device. If the device is not withinthe given distance of the Bluetooth emitter, the personal devicecontainer system 200 may send a command to the personal computing deviceto lock the device and filter the request.

FIG. 7 depicts a method 700 for providing multi-user management on apersonal computing device 300. In some embodiments, the operating router260 may be configured to provide multi-user management for the personalcomputing device 300. Although this method demonstrates that each stepmay be performed via the operating router 260, a computing device suchas the business system 170 located on the secured network segment 115may provide the multi-user management functionality and perform each ofthe steps of method 700. As explained herein, the personal computingdevice 300 may be configured to provide a multi-user experience, whereindifferent users may login and access applications executed by thepersonal computing device to view user specific information via thepersonal computing device 300.

In some embodiments of the invention, prior to the user being able tocommunicate a request using the personal computing device for userspecific information, the user computing device must be authenticated.Such authentication may be performed using the secured certificate asdefined herein.

Block 705 of method 700 receiving a first request to receive firstuser-specific information for a first application comprising a useridentifier and a device identifier. In specific embodiments, thepersonal computing device 300 may provide a user an opportunity tosupply user credentials for the purpose of gaining access to at leastone of the applications stored on and executed by the personal computingdevice 300. The operating router 260 may prevent the user from accessingan application executed by the personal computing device until after theoperating router has authenticated the user identifier. After receivingthe credentials from the user, the personal computing device 300 maysubmit a request containing the credentials to the operating router 260.In some embodiments, the credentials may be a user identifier such as ausername, an email address or the like. Additionally, the request mayfurther contain a device identifier. The device identifier may be asecurity certificate (e.g., a certificate provided to the personalcomputing device during provisioning), a manufacturer identification(i.e. serial number), or an identifier that is specific to the network110 (i.e. IP Address).

After the operating router 260 receives the request, the operatingrouter may be configured to authenticate the credentials and useridentifier as illustrated in Block 710 of method 700. The operatingrouter 260 may authenticate the user credentials based on receivinguser-specific information. For example, the user credentials maycomprise the user identifier and a password. The operating router 260may search a data store containing the user identifier and password andmatching the user identifier with the password in order to perform thevalidation.

In some embodiments, the operating router 260 may be further configuredto determine whether the user associated with the user identifier isallowed to make requests using the personal computing device 300 toreceive user-specific information. Such a determination may be based onthe device identifier. For example, the operating router 260 may accessa data store containing information that allows a user to perform suchrequests via a given personal computing device. Where the data storecontains information suggesting the user is allowed to make such arequest, the operating router 260 may proceed with block 715 of method700. Otherwise, the operating router 260 may communicate a response tothe personal computing device stating the user is not authorized tocommunicate requests with the given personal computing device.

After the operating router 260 has authenticated the user identifier,the operating router may associate the user identifier with the deviceidentifier as depicted in block 715 of method 700. The personalcomputing device may receive a response from the operating router 260stating that the user credentials have been validated.

In addition, based on authenticating the user identifier, the user maybe granted access to any or some of the applications executed by thepersonal computing device without having to supply additionalcredentials. Such a response may be the response as illustrated in block720 of method 700. Additionally, after the operating router 260 hasauthenticated the user identifier, the operating router 260 may directthe request to a specific device located on the secured network segment115. Based on receiving the request, the device located on the securenetwork segment 115, may communicate a response containing theuser-specific information. The operating router 260 may receive thisresponse and forward the response back to the personal computing device300.

Block 725 of method 700 illustrates receiving a second request toreceive second user-specific information for a second applicationcomprising the device identifier. Based on the operating router 260authenticating the user identifier, the user may be granted access to atleast one other application executed by the personal computing device.Where the user has been granted access to more than one application,additional applications may require user-specific information inaddition to that supplied by the first application. The operating router260 may receive a request for the additional user-specific information.In some embodiments, the request for the additional user-specificinformation may comprise at least the device identifier.

Based on receiving the second request, the operating router 260 maydetermine that the device identifier is associated with the useridentifier associated with the user as depicted in block 730 of method700. Since the user identifier has already been validated and associatedwith the device identifier, when the operating router 260 receives thedevice identifier, the operating router may automatically determine theuser based on the association between the user identifier and the deviceidentifier. Base on making such a determination, the operating router260 may forward the request to a computing device on the segmentednetwork 115 and receive a response containing the additionaluser-specific information. The operating router 260 may then communicatethe user-specific information to the personal computing device 300 asdepicted in block 735 of method 700. In other embodiments, the operatingrouter 260 may be configured to restrict requests from the personalcomputing device 300 to computing devices located on the secured networksegment 115.

In one embodiment, the operating router 260 may receive a request tovalidate a second user using the personal computing device 300. Based onthe operating router 260 receiving such a request, the operating routermay disassociate the first user with the personal computing device 300.Thereafter, if the operating router 260 receives a request from thefirst user using the personal computing device 300, the operating router260 may filter the request until the personal computing device hasresent a subsequent request to validate the user credentials of thefirst user.

In other embodiments, the operating router 260 may be configured toblock requests based on not receiving a request for user-specificinformation within a given amount of time. The operating router 260 maydetermine a time threshold for receiving a request for user-specificinformation from a user after the operating router has authenticated theuser identifier for a user. If the operating router 260 receives arequest before the expiration of the time threshold, the system mayextend the time threshold for a later period of time. However, if theoperating router 260 has not received a request for user-specificinformation, the operating router may disassociate any user that iscurrently associated with the personal computing device 300.

In yet other embodiments, the operating router 260 may determine that auser is not authorized to utilize a personal computing device 300 toreceive user-specific information. The system may receive informationrelating to a given user's ability to use a given personal computingdevice. For example, where an entity has multiple business centers, theentity may authorize an employee who works in one center to have accessto personal computing devices that are assigned to that center. If theemployee attempts to access an application on the personal computingdevice assigned to that center the operating router 260 will not blockthe request. However, if the user travels to another center and attemptsto use a device that the employee has not been authorized to use, theoperating router 260 may block such a request. The operating router 260may determine whether the user is authorized to use a personal computingdevice 300 based on receiving the user identifier and the deviceidentifier. The system may access a list of authorized users for a givendevice.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a method (including, for example, acomputer-implemented process, a business process, and/or any otherprocess), apparatus (including, for example, a system, machine, device,computer program product, and/or the like), or a combination of theforegoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, and thelike), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that maygenerally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, embodimentsof the present invention may take the form of a computer program producton a computer-readable medium having computer-executable program codeembodied in the medium.

Any suitable transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium maybe utilized. The computer readable medium may be, for example but notlimited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared,or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples ofthe computer readable medium include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires; a tangiblestorage medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical or magnetic storage device.

In the context of this document, a computer readable medium may be anymedium that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the programfor use by or in connection with the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device. The computer usable program code may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited tothe Internet, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (RF)signals, or other mediums.

Computer-executable program code for carrying out operations ofembodiments of the present invention may be written in an objectoriented, scripted or unscripted programming language. However, thecomputer program code for carrying out operations of embodiments of thepresent invention may also be written in conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages.

Embodiments of the present invention are described above with referenceto flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products. It will be understood thateach block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and/orcombinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or blockdiagrams, can be implemented by computer-executable program codeportions. These computer executable program code portions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce aparticular machine, such that the code portions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create mechanisms for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer-executable program code portions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the code portions stored in the computer readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instructionmechanisms which implement the function/act specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block(s).

The computer-executable program code may also be loaded onto a computeror other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the codeportions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatusprovide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block(s). Alternatively, computer programimplemented steps or acts may be combined with operator or humanimplemented steps or acts in order to carry out an embodiment of theinvention.

As the phrase is used herein, a processor may be “configured to” performa certain function in a variety of ways, including, for example, byhaving one or more general purpose circuits perform the function byexecuting particular computer-executable program code embodied incomputer-readable medium, and/or by having one or moreapplication-specific circuits perform the function.

Embodiments of the present invention are described above with referenceto flowcharts and/or block diagrams. It will be understood that steps ofthe processes described herein may be performed in orders different thanthose illustrated in the flowcharts. In other words, the processesrepresented by the blocks of a flowchart may, in some embodiments, be inperformed in an order other that the order illustrated, may be combinedor divided, or may be performed simultaneously. It will also beunderstood that the blocks of the block diagrams illustrated, in someembodiments, merely conceptual delineations between systems and one ormore of the systems illustrated by a block in the block diagrams may becombined or share hardware and/or software with another one or more ofthe systems illustrated by a block in the block diagrams. Likewise, adevice, system, apparatus, and/or the like may be made up of one or moredevices, systems, apparatuses, and/or the like. For example, where aprocessor is illustrated or described herein, the processor may be madeup of a plurality of microprocessors or other processing devices whichmay or may not be coupled to one another. Likewise, where a memory isillustrated or described herein, the memory may be made up of aplurality of memory devices which may or may not be coupled to oneanother.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of, and not restrictive on, the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other changes,combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition tothose set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications ofthe just described embodiments can be configured without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understoodthat, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may bepracticed other than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal computing device for providing amulti-user experience, the personal computing device comprising: aprocessor; a memory; a communication interface in communication with anentity network; a display device; a device configuration file stored inthe memory, the device configuration file comprising one or more devicesettings; an access management module stored in the memory, executableby the processor and configured for: establishing network communicationwith the entity network; establishing network communication with apersonal computing device management system via the entity network;providing device identification information associated with the personalcomputing device to the personal computing device management system;after providing the device identification information associated withthe personal computing device to the personal computing devicemanagement system, receiving a certificate from the personal computingdevice management system and storing the certificate in the memory;receiving settings from the personal computing device management systemand updating the device configuration file based on the settingsreceived from the personal computing device management system; receivinga command from the personal computing device management system todownload an entity application; based on receiving the command,downloading the entity application and storing the entity application inthe memory; sending a first request to the entity network to connect toa secured network segment in communication with the entity network;transmitting the certificate to the entity network; after transmittingthe certificate to the entity network, receiving access to the securednetwork segment; after receiving access to the secured network segment,sending a second request to the entity network, the second requestcomprising a request to access the secured network segment via theentity application; after sending the second request to the entitynetwork, receiving a third request from the entity network to provideuser credentials; after receiving the third request from the entitynetwork to provide user credentials, providing user credentialsassociated with a first user to the entity network; after providing theuser credentials associated with the first user to the entity network,receiving user-specific content associated with the first user from thesecured network segment; and displaying the user-specific contentassociated with the first user on the display device using the entityapplication.
 2. The personal computing device according to claim 1,wherein the access management module is configured for: providing usercredentials associated with a second user to the entity network;receiving user-specific content associated with a second user; anddisplaying the user-specific content associated with the second user onthe display device using the entity application.
 3. The personalcomputing device according to claim 1, wherein the personal computingdevice management system is configured to (i) validate the deviceidentification information associated with the personal computing deviceand (ii), if the device identification information associated with thepersonal computing device is valid, providing the certificate to thepersonal computing device.
 4. The personal computing device according toclaim 1, wherein the personal computing device is a tablet computer. 5.The personal computing device according to claim 1, wherein: the entitynetwork comprises a personal device container system; the personaldevice container system is configured to establish network communicationbetween the personal computing device and the personal computing devicemanagement system.
 6. The personal computing device according to claim5, wherein the personal device container system is configured to (i)authenticate the certificate transmitted by the personal computingdevice, (ii) provide the personal computing device access to the securednetwork segment based on authenticating the certificate transmitted bythe personal computing device, and (iii) block network communicationbetween the personal computing device and the secured network segmentuntil the certificate has been authenticated.
 7. The personal computingdevice according to claim 6, wherein the personal device containersystem is configured to (i) authenticate the user credentials associatedwith the first user and (ii), based on authenticating the usercredentials associated with the first user, providing the user-specificcontent associated with the first user to the personal computing device.8. A computer program product for providing a multi-user experience on apersonal computing device having a processor, a memory, a communicationinterface in communication with an entity network, a display device, adevice configuration file stored in the memory comprising one or moredevice settings, the computer program product comprising anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable instructions for: establishing network communicationwith the entity network; establishing network communication with apersonal computing device management system via the entity network;providing device identification information associated with the personalcomputing device to the personal computing device management system;after providing the device identification information associated withthe personal computing device to the personal computing devicemanagement system, receiving a certificate from the personal computingdevice management system and storing the certificate in the memory;receiving settings from the personal computing device management systemand updating the device configuration file based on the settingsreceived from the personal computing device management system; receivinga command from the personal computing device management system todownload an entity application; based on receiving the command,downloading the entity application and storing the entity application inthe memory; sending a first request to the entity network to connect toa secured network segment in communication with the entity network;transmitting the certificate to the entity network; after transmittingthe certificate to the entity network, receiving access to the securednetwork segment; after receiving access to the secured network segment,sending a second request to the entity network, the second requestcomprising a request to access the secured network segment via theentity application; after sending the second request to the entitynetwork, receiving a third request from the entity network to provideuser credentials; after receiving the third request from the entitynetwork to provide user credentials, providing user credentialsassociated with a first user to the entity network; after providing theuser credentials associated with the first user to the entity network,receiving user-specific content associated with the first user from thesecured network segment; and displaying the user-specific contentassociated with the first user on the display device using the entityapplication.
 9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium further havingcomputer-executable instructions for: providing user credentialsassociated with a second user to the entity network; receivinguser-specific content associated with a second user; and displaying theuser-specific content associated with the second user on the displaydevice using the entity application.
 10. The computer program product ofclaim 8, wherein the personal computing device management system isconfigured to (i) validate the device identification informationassociated with the personal computing device and (ii), if the deviceidentification information associated with the personal computing deviceis valid, providing the certificate to the personal computing device.11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the personalcomputing device is a tablet computer.
 12. The computer program productof claim 8, wherein the entity network comprises a personal devicecontainer system; the personal device container system is configured toestablish network communication between the personal computing deviceand the personal computing device management system.
 13. The computerprogram product of claim 12, wherein the personal device containersystem is configured to (i) authenticate the certificate transmitted bythe personal computing device, (ii) provide the personal computingdevice access to the secured network segment based on authenticating thecertificate transmitted by the personal computing device, and (iii)block network communication between the personal computing device andthe secured network segment until the certificate has beenauthenticated.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein thepersonal device container system is configured to (i) authenticate thecertificate transmitted by the personal computing device, (ii) providethe personal computing device access to the secured network segmentbased on authenticating the certificate transmitted by the personalcomputing device, and (iii) block network communication between thepersonal computing device and the secured network segment until thecertificate has been authenticated.
 15. A method for providing amulti-user experience on a personal computing device having a processor,a memory, a communication interface in communication with an entitynetwork, a display device, a device configuration file stored in thememory comprising one or more device settings, the method comprising:establishing, via a computer processor, network communication with theentity network; establishing, via a computer processor, networkcommunication with a personal computing device management system via theentity network; providing, via a computer processor, deviceidentification information associated with the personal computing deviceto the personal computing device management system; after providing thedevice identification information associated with the personal computingdevice to the personal computing device management system, receiving,via a computer processor, a certificate from the personal computingdevice management system and storing the certificate in the memory;receiving, via a computer processor, settings from the personalcomputing device management system and updating the device configurationfile based on the settings received from the personal computing devicemanagement system; receiving, via a computer processor, a command fromthe personal computing device management system to download an entityapplication; based on receiving the command, downloading, via a computerprocessor, the entity application and storing the entity application inthe memory; sending, via a computer processor, a first request to theentity network to connect to a secured network segment in communicationwith the entity network; transmitting, via a computer processor, thecertificate to the entity network; after transmitting the certificate tothe entity network, receiving, via a computer processor, access to thesecured network segment; after receiving access to the secured networksegment, sending, via a computer processor, a second request to theentity network, the second request comprising a request to access thesecured network segment via the entity application; after sending thesecond request to the entity network, receiving, via a computerprocessor, a third request from the entity network to provide usercredentials; after receiving the third request from the entity networkto provide user credentials, providing, via a computer processor, usercredentials associated with a first user to the entity network; afterproviding the user credentials associated with the first user to theentity network, receiving, via a computer processor, user-specificcontent associated with the first user from the secured network segment;and displaying, via a computer processor, the user-specific contentassociated with the first user on the display device using the entityapplication.
 16. The method of claim 15, the method further comprising:providing user credentials associated with a second user to the entitynetwork; receiving user-specific content associated with a second user;and displaying the user-specific content associated with the second useron the display device using the entity application.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the personal computing device management system isconfigured to (i) validate the device identification informationassociated with the personal computing device and (ii), if the deviceidentification information associated with the personal computing deviceis valid, providing the certificate to the personal computing device.18. The method of claim 15, wherein: the entity network comprises apersonal device container system; the personal device container systemis configured to establish network communication between the personalcomputing device and the personal computing device management system.19. The method of claim 18, wherein the personal device container systemis configured to (i) authenticate the certificate transmitted by thepersonal computing device, (ii) provide the personal computing deviceaccess to the secured network segment based on authenticating thecertificate transmitted by the personal computing device, and (iii)block network communication between the personal computing device andthe secured network segment until the certificate has beenauthenticated.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the personal devicecontainer system is configured to (i) authenticate the user credentialsassociated with the first user and (ii), based on authenticating theuser credentials associated with the first user, providing theuser-specific content associated with the first user to the personalcomputing device.